Copa Libertadores Final: Empty Stadium Possible After Boca Juniors and Fluminense Fans Clash, Video

• The 2023 Copa Libertadores final features the legendary Boca Juniors against Brazil's Fluminense
• Fans have descended on Rio de Janeiro, but fights have broken out at popular tourist destinations
• CONMEBOL are considering the possibility of playing the game in an empty arena to curb tensions

The intensity of South American rivalries is magnified at a domestic level.

The build-up to the Copa Libertadores final has been marred by hooliganism as passionate fans failed to restrain themselves before the continent's biggest club fixture.

Devotees of Argentina's beloved Boca Juniors have clashed with supporters of Brazilian giants Fluminense in the streets of Rio de Janeiro.

Fluminense are the defacto home team, with the final being played in their home stadium, the iconic Maracana.

The biggest flashpoint of the week came on Copacabana Beach when rival fans were filmed engaging in a mass pre-match altercation.

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The beach is being used as a family-friendly fan park but Brazilian authorities were required to intervene, using firearms to disperse misbehaving fans.

Reuters reported that two Argentines and one Brazilian were arrested following the running skirmishes.

With tensions high in the city before the Saturday afternoon kickoff in Rio, CONMEBOL are considering playing the game behind closed doors.

Goal reports, however, that barring the fans from the match would be highly controversial and may not resolve instances of violence around the city.

Boca Juniors qualified for the final by finishing top of their group, then winning three consecutive penalty shootouts against Uruguay's Club National, fellow Argentines Racing Avellaneda, and Brazil's Palmeiras.

Fluminense beat Argentinos Juniors, Club Olympia from Paraguay, and fellow Brazilian giants Internacional en route to the final.

Fluminense have two former European club greats in former Real Madrid wingback, Marcelo, and former Juventus and Inter Milan midfielder, Felipe Melo.

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Among the Boca ranks are former Manchester United trio Sergio Romero, Edinson Cavani, and Marcos Rojo, who captains them.

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Copa Libertadores Preview

Sports Brief recently published a preview of the titanic 2023 Copa Libertadores final.

Boca Juniors are aiming to join record-holders Independiente on seven Libertadores titles.

Fluminese will be hoping to lift South America's premier club trophy for the first time.